Project: King Abdullah Financial District Metro Station
Architecture: Zaha Hadid Architects
Project Team: Marco Amoroso, Vincenzo Caputo, Abdel Halim Chehab, Lee Cubeddu, Rawan Al-Derjem, Domenico Di Francesco, David Fogliano, Manuele Gaioni, Marko Gligorov, Subharthi Guha, Alexandros Kallegias, Lisa Kinnerud, Alexandre Kuroda, Stefano Iacopini, Carolina López-Blanco, Jamie Mann, Mohammadali Mirzaei, Arian Hakimi Nejad, David Wolthers, Nicola McConnell, Mario Mattia, Massimo Napoleoni, Niki Okala, Carlos Parraga-Botero, Sohith Perera, Izis Salvador Pinto, Carine Posner, Neil Rigden, Paola Salcedo, Nima Shoja, Thomas Sonder, Vincenzo Reale, Kate Revyakina, Roberto Vangeli, Seungho Yeo
Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Year: 2024
Photo Credits: Hufton+Crow Photography
The King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) Metro Station is a major interchange on Riyadh’s new metro network. It serves Line 1 and is the terminus for both Line 4 (leading to the airport) and Line 6. In addition, a local monorail connects via a skybridge. This station plays a key role in making travel easy and fast in the busy financial district.
Key Features and Layout
The station has six platforms spread over four public floors. There are also two levels of underground car parking. The design integrates the station into the urban context of the financial district. It responds to the needs of a multimodal transport center while supporting the district’s future vision. The King Abdullah Financial District Metro Station is not just a place to catch a train. It is designed as a dynamic public space that welcomes both commuters and visitors.
The station is placed at the center of a network of pathways, skybridges, and metro lines as outlined in the KAFD master plan. Detailed connectivity diagrams help map out pedestrian routes. This planning optimizes internal circulation and helps avoid congestion. The result is a three-dimensional layout that feels both organized and modern.
Dynamic Architectural Design
A striking feature of the station is its unique design, based on a series of opposing sine-waves. These curves were inspired by daily traffic flows and now serve as the spine for building circulation. The sine-wave pattern extends to the station’s exterior envelope. This design not only creates an interesting visual effect but also reduces solar gain. The geometric perforations in the façade help the building blend with its cultural environment.
The overall design of the King Abdullah Financial District Metro Station resembles the patterns of desert winds in sand dunes. The repeated curves and varying frequencies form complex, natural formations. This careful use of repetition, symmetry, and scaling optimizes the design. It also simplifies technical challenges while maintaining high spatial quality and design ambition.
Sustainable and Cultural Integration
The station design honors the local context. The façade pattern and building layout respond to Riyadh’s climate and cultural environment. This thoughtful design helps create a comfortable space for commuters while also serving as a dramatic public area for the city. The King Abdullah Financial District Metro Station is an example of modern architecture that respects tradition and enhances urban life.
In summary, the King Abdullah Financial District Metro Station is much more than a transport hub. It is a vibrant, multi-functional space that connects people and places while celebrating design, culture, and sustainability.
